Despite ever-improving prevention efforts, road crashes will continue to occur. Effective action in the immediate period after a crash, often called the ‘Golden Hour’, is critical in helping to reduce the severity of injuries and save the lives of road crash victims. In this context, the role of GRSP member the World Rescue Organisation (WRO) is vital.

The ability to keep victims alive and reduce secondary injuries post-collision depends on getting the appropriate resources, people and equipment to the incident without delay, minimising time on scene and getting injured people to hospital as soon as possible. As first responders, firefighters play a key role in this life-saving process.

Better understanding of the requirement to increase responsiveness to emergencies and improve the ability of healthcare systems to provide appropriate emergency treatment has mobilised many organizations, including the World Rescue Organisation (WRO) and members who have worked hard to promote an effective post-collision capability in a number of countries.

According to WRO chair Steve Apter, ‘The benefits of combined rescue and medical care are well recognised, and in order to continue our charitable work we must strive to look for new partners and supporters’.

Established in 1999, WRO’s vision is to disseminate emergency rescue and medical techniques, practices and procedures to aid the effective management of road collisions and the care of those involved. WRO supports the development of national bodies, focussing on the Rescue Challenge concept and the production of training programmes and initiatives that assist rescue and medical crews working in the post-collision environment.

Speaking on the World Rescue Organisation, GRSP CEO Dr Barry Watson said: ‘Together, we have a shared vision of reducing the global burden of road trauma, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To achieve this, we not only need to promote road crash prevention efforts but also enhance post-crash response services around the world. Through their expertise in post-crash rescue and trauma care, the World Rescue Organisation plays a vital role. The upcoming World Rescue Challenge 2015 (14-18 October, Lisbon, Portugal) is a superb example of the WRO working to enhance standards and build capability among rescue and trauma care professionals in countries most in need’.

WRO member organizations include the United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Luxemburg, Republic of Ireland, Ghana, Brazil, South America, Portugal, Romania and Russia.